Man Arrested for Sending Obscene Texts to Minor in Harvey Cedars

Aug 31, 2016

Harvey Cedars police last week charged a Somerset County man for sending inappropriate text messages to a female juvenile. Police Chief Robert Burnaford said that on Aug. 21 at 11 p.m., Officer Matt Chester responded to a residence for a report of a subject sending inappropriate text messages to the juvenile. Further investigation by the officer and Det. Chris Oldham determined John Faus, 49, from Rocky Hill had sent the messages.

Faus, who was staying in another house in the borough, was placed under arrest, transported to police headquarters for processing and then transported to Ocean County Jail on $5,000 bail. Faus was charged with knowingly distributing obscene material to a person under 18 years of age.

Burnaford said the suspect and the victim know each other, but would not elaborate since the case involves a minor.

“I think this is the first time we’ve ever had an incident like this in Harvey Cedars,” he said. —E.E.